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As she smiles, he sees himself through Suki’s eyes. A hero of the people. A prince who fights for the common folk. They care for him. And he has a sister who cares for him.

And Damon?

Damon cares about him too. Damon and perhaps Tobi and Kerik. And this Jemel who is somewhere in the palace. Whatever Atticul offers him, he could never betray them.

Suki looks down. “Lukas, I cannot get you out. I took this job hoping I might find a way. But the corridor that leads here has half a dozen guards and nowhere to hide. There is no other door but that one.”

Lukas shakes his head. “I do not want you to get me out. I’m exactly where I need to be.”

14

JEMEL

Jemel stands, straight-backed and patient, before Gelen’s wide desk in his new quarters — the chambers of the High Word of Zai. He has been here before, when these highly decorated rooms, covered in silks and gilded carvings, belonged to Doroth Zain.

This is the first time Jemel has been alone with Gelen since he charged him to spy on Xan.

When Gelen looks up and acknowledges him, Jemel makes his obeisance to the High Word, bowing low with his hands crossed over his heart. When he straightens, Gelen is smiling, “Ah, Jemel, I have been meaning to call upon you. I must inform you that Doroth is returning to Attar for the ascension. I thought you would like to know as you have been asking after him.”

Jemel nods. This is welcome news. It will be good to finally see Doroth and tell him he has completed his work on the writings of Batreous, even if they have not revealed as much of what needs to be done as was hoped. Perhaps Doroth has discovered the whereabouts of the Books of Alios.

“However,” Gelen continues. “I would ask you, as a devout of Zai, not to attempt to contact him when he is in the palace. I am sure that you, like many others, have questions about why Doroth was stripped of his role as High Word and I am sure the Emperor Ascendent will reveal more of this in time, but all that you need to know now, Jemel, is the Doroth was mired in sin.”

Jemel shakes his head. “High Word, I apologise for my transgression, but please, that cannot be true.”

“I'm afraid it is,” Gelen says airily. “It could happen to anyone. Walking the righteous path is never easy.”

“I see, Sire,” Jemel says tightly. His mind is racing. What sin could Doroth have committed? Doroth is the most devout of men. In public, at least.

Does Gelen know of Doroth’s work? That Doroth believed Zai a demon? Did he, too, find something in Doroth’s rooms? Perhaps Jemel even left something behind there that betrayed the truth. And if Gelen knows…?

Does he know of Jemel’s involvement? Surely he cannot. He would not have simply bid Jemel come to his chambers. He would have sent enforcers to drag him to the dungeons in chains.

“So you must understand,” Gelen says, using a tone he often uses with Jemel as if he thinks he is slow-witted. “You will make no attempt to make contact with Doroth when he is in Attar.”

“I do, Sire. I understand. Is this the reason you bid me come here this morning?”

“Actually no,” says Gelen. “I believe it has been a while since I saw you privately.” He smiles. A very particular smile. One Jemel knows well. His heart sinks. Of course. Why else would he be here? Why did he ever consider even for a moment that this would be anything else?

“It is time you were purged,” Gelen says. “Isn’t that right?”

Jemel bows his head. He knows there is no point in contradicting the statement. “Yes, Sire.”

“Kneel please,” Gelen says.

Jemel lowers himself to the floor. He has never done this in these rooms. In the past, this ritual was conducted in Gelen’s old chambers, where he had a small padded stool for the purpose. Here, Jemel finds himself kneeling on a golden rug with a twelve pointed mark of Zai embroidered in the centre. It makes his belly roll. He feels his breath start to come in stuttering gasps.

Gelen informed Jemel when he became part of the Order of the Enforcer that he would select a certain small number of acolytes for this personal ritual. It was a great honour.

“Now,” Gelen says when Jemel is kneeling. “Tell me of your sins.”

“I am cleansed of sin, Sire,” Jemel says roughly. “I visit the Immurite.”

“Are you sure that has cleansed you?” Gelen says softly. “I have told you that for one as you are, the Immurite’s words may not be enough.”

Jemel feels a tear running down his cheek. He thinks unbidden of the sins he could confess to Gelen. His work for Doroth Zain, his struggles with his faith, his questioning of Zai.

Jemel found out Zai was not a God when he was sixteen summers old. Doroth Zain had taken him to his rooms — these very rooms in which he kneels — and told him a long story. The Bellator demons, the Five Fae Princes. An old legend. All of it true, he said. Pia and Prim. The deal mortal men made to rid themselves of the fae and the price they paid.